What does it mean word for word?
The word is etymologically related to piscis (fish), meaning it originally referred to a fish pond or tank.
Which one should you use?
While piscina is a specific term for a swimming pool or fish pond, other words can describe different bodies of water: lacus generally means a lake but can also denote a larger body of water or a pool. stagnum primarily means a pond but can describe a small or shallow pool. And fons means a fountain or spring, which can be used poetically to describe a small, natural pool formed by a spring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use the accusative form piscinam when the pool is the direct object of a verb, such as jumping into the pool. Use the ablative form piscinā when expressing a location, such as being in or at the pool.
Did you know?
- In ancient Rome, a piscina often served as a settling tank in an aqueduct to remove sediment and impurities from the water flow.
- While piscina is the source for 'swimming pool' in many Romance languages, the English word 'pool' comes from an entirely different root meaning 'small stream'.
- In Roman architecture, a piscina could be a luxury feature of a private villa, often built with complex systems to keep the fish alive and healthy.
Examples in context
- Omnes in piscinam saluerunt.Everybody jumped into the pool.This sentence shows the use of the accusative form piscinam when jumping into the pool.Tatoeba #5090493 by alexmarcelo, translation #4500374 by CK
- Canis meus in piscina natat.My dog is swimming in the pool.This sentence uses the ablative form piscina to describe swimming in the pool.Tatoeba #11174734 by carlosalberto, translation #11174717 by carlosalberto
- Aestate ad piscinam cotidie eo.In the summer I go to the pool every day.This sentence demonstrates moving toward the pool using the accusative form piscinam.Tatoeba #6947841 by CarpeLanam, translation #411866 by Dorenda
- Lucius in piscīnā nātāre amat.Lucius loves to swim in the pool.
- In villā nostrā est magnus lacus.In our villa, there is a large pool.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Lucia are at a villa during a hot afternoon.
- MarcusUbi est piscina?Where is the pool?
- LuciaPiscina est prope hortum.The pool is near the garden.
- MarcusDuc nos ad eam, quaeso.Lead us to it, please.
- LuciaEcce, hic est locus.Behold, here is the place.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
